Adjustable lock



NOV. 8, 1932. AVlLAN 1,887,094

ADJUSTABLE LOCK Filed April 10, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTUR DE [EL HHVILHND QTTEJRNETS Nov. 8, 1932. D. HAVILAND ADJUSTABLE LOCK Filed April 10, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 m M T E L W TH D m T v T m H Patented Nov. 8, 1932 DAN'IEL HAVILAND, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA ADJUSTABLE LOCK 1 Application filed April 10,

My invention relates to an adjustable lock and is adapted for conditions in whichit may be desirable to alter the lock to accommodate different keys without the necessity of changing the lock completely for use of a different key. I

Considerable difficulty has been experienced in the locks of hotels, lodging houses, and the like, in which guests are frequently coming and going in the stealing of keys or securing copies of these and then the subsequent unauthorized entering of the room and pilfering byparties who have secured keys which will fitthe locks.

A main feature and object of my invention is to provide a lock which will allow the proprietor of such institutions to readily change the lock so that a different key is required and, in addition, so that as many changes can be made as desired, each requiring a different key, so that Sl1OUllfl1G proprietor suspect that keys have been stolen or copies made thereof he can readily change the lock and thus foil the operation of persons attempting to enter rooms without authority.

My invention may be considered s a further development of my patent application, 7

Serial Number t44,7l7 for an adjustable locking mechanism, filed April 16, 1930.

In my present invention a further feature and object is the construction of locks preferably with two distinct control devices therefor, one of which may be considered as to'be operated by a guest key and the other by a pass key, and in which either device may be readily changed to require a different Another object and feature of my invention is to facilitate the changing of the locks and keys whereby the keys themselves may be first changed or'altered and then the looks setto accommodate the keys.

Astill further and detailed Object of my invention is the employment of locks having a plurality of tumblers, such tumblers'being moved by a key to allovs either movement of the tumblers in reference to a barrier construction or the movement of the barrier in reference to the tumblers. In this connection another detailed feature of my invention is the employment of adjustable barriers which 1931-. Serial No. 529,093.

may be positioned to either permit or to prevent relative movement of the tumblers and the barriers, thetumblers'being shifted by the key and such relative movement only allowable when all the tumblers are in proper alignment to escape the barriers or vice versa,

the barriers are positioned to allow relative movement of'the tumblers, and the neck portion functioning to allow such movement. Another detail object and feature of my invention is the construction and use of a movable carrier having tumblers preferably pivotally mounted thereon, and such tumblers being operated by the ward of a'key to shift such tumblers in accordance with the specific shape ofthe grooves and notches in the Ward of the key to align these with the neck portion of the barriers.

Another detail object and feature of my invention in the employment of what I may term the. guest or common key control and the'master key control, is a locking arrangement'operated by the master key for looking a cover door which allows or prevents access to the barrier adjustments.

Anotherdetail feature of my invention i relates to the manner, of connecting the slidable carriage which carries either the tumblers or the adjustable barriers to move or operate the locking bolt by the movement and operation of this carrier. I v

Various additional features of my invention will appear and be brought out in the accompanying specification together with the accompanying drawings,in which draw mgs: I

Fig. 1 is an elevation of my lock with a portion broken away;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the interior mechanism of my lock illustrated with the master key shifting the tumblers into operative position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the carrier moved by the ward of the key;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 44 of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 55 of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a detail section on the line 66 of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of one of the tumblers; V

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of one of the slidable carriers;

Fig. 9 is a detail section on the line 99 of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows through the locking bolt mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a detail section on the line 101O .of Fig. 9, showing the manner of locking the cover door over the adjustable barriers by operating the master key;

Fig. 11 is a detail section on the line 11-11 of Fig. 9 in the direction of the arrows;

Figs. 12, 13, 14, and illustrate diiierently shaped wards of keys to accommodate the tumblers Fig. 16 is an elevation of a modified construction with the cover door open, showing the adjustable abutments being movable.

In the construction of Figs. 1 through 11 I employ a lock housing 11 which has an opening on one side with a cover door 12 hinged as illustrated at 13 to cover the adjustable abutment part of the lock. The other part of the lock has a cover plate 14 which may be attached by screws or the like.

Describing first the barriers and their ad justment, the inside of the lock extending from the back 15 has ribs 16 and 17, there being two sets of these, the ribs 17 being indicated as threaded and the ribs 16 having openings to accommodate the barrier screws 18. These barrier screws have a screw threaded section 19, a reduced neck20, and an enlarged portion 21 of substantially the same diameter as the screws. Between the ribs 16 and 17 there are guide rods 22. A

coil spring 23 extends around the cylindrical part 21 of the barrier screws and by its friction holds these in position when once adjusted and exerts a friction against the adjustment of such barrier screws. These screws are illustrated as being adjusted either by having a kerf 24 in the ends or by having a hexagonal or other portion 25 for engagement by a wrench. In the illustration I have shown three barrier screws for each of the distinct lock mechanisms but it will be understood that either more or less can be utilized.

The sliding latch. bolt construction designated generally 26 (note Figs. 2, 3, 9 and 11) employs a sliding plate 27 which fits on the back plate 15 of the lock and has one edge caught in a groove 28.; This plate has an end piece 29 to which is secured a beveled locking bolt 30. Extending outwardly from the end 29 there is a knob mounting 31 which has the inside knob 32 thereon. By manipulation of the knob the knob support may he slid longitudinally in the slot 33 in the cover plate 14. There is a fixed transverse abutment plate 34 which extends upwardly from the thickened portion 35 of the back plate 15 and forms an abutment for the depression spring 36 which bears against this abutment plate 34 and the end piece 29, thus tending to thrust the lock bolt outwardly. The sliding plate 27 is provided with an outwardly turned end 37 which is utilized to move the latch bolt.

Screws 38 threaded into the thickened portion 35 of the back plate of the lock are used cooperating with the groove 28 to retain the sliding plate. Coopwating with the latch bolt to slide same there are two carriers or carrier plates 39 (note detailed Fig. 8). Such carrier plates have a shank portion 46 with marginal edges 41 and 42. At one end there is an offset section 43 with a notch 44 cut therein, such notch being for the purpose of accommodating the ward of a key. This notch is illustrated as having a flat base 45, a continuous sloping side 46 on one side. The opposite side 47 has a shoulder 48 formed therein to limit the movement of a key. On the opposite edge of the carrier plate there are a pair of lugs 49 having oppositely positioned shoulders 50 and 51 to catch the end of a spring 52, the function of which spring is detailed hereinunder. Each carrier has an opening 53 for a pintle and extending laterally from one side there is a puller arm 54. Such puller arm fits between the abutment plate 34 and the upturned end 37 of the sliding plate 27 and is designed to engage this upturned end to pull the latch bolt inwardly on the inward movement of the carrier when operated by the key.

The tumblers, of which three are illustrated for each carriage, are designated generally at 55 (note Fig. 7). These have a hub end 56 through which the pintle bolt 57 extends, such pintle bolt engaging in the pivot hole 53 of the carrier 39. These tumblers are provided with a shank section 58, an arm 59 ex tending to one side with a perforation 6O therethrough, in which perforation fits one end of the spring 52, the other end being caught by the abutments 50 and 51 of the bracket 49 on the carrier. The opposite edge of the tumblers is provided with a projection 61 with a curved cam edge 62. Each tumbler has a projecting finger 63, these fingers being of different lengths, and it is immaterial whether the longest finger is adjacent the back of the lock or the front, but for conveniences of illustration I show the longest linger adjacent the back of the lock and the shortest finger adjacent the front 01": the lock.

These fingers are of such a thickness as to pass between the pairs of guide rods 22 (note Fig. 4), these rods, in effect, forming guide 'slots'ior the fingers ofthe tumblers. The fingers are also of such a Width as to fit in the neck portion 20 ofthe barrier screws 18 and if the neck portion is not in correct position to allow sliding of the tumblers, the movement of the carrier plate and, hence, of the latch bolt, is prevented.

It will be noted by reference to Figs. 1 through 5 that the lock is made, in effect, in duplicate, that is, there are two carriers each having their tumblers and two sets of barrier screws. ed the upper set is for use by a master key and the lower set by guest keys so that the lock may be opened either by the guest keys or by the master key, but the guest key operates on the lower set and the master key on the upper set only, these not being interchangeable unless, of course, the barrier screws are set so that a single key will operate both.

Different types of keys are illustrated in Figs. 12 to 15, the wards 64 being illustrated as having barriers, high spots 65, and low spots 66, these being different distances from the stem 67 of the key.

In the operation of the lock the key is inserted in the keyhole and on turning the key, presuming the proper key for the par ticular lock is being utilized, the various high and low spots of the ward bear against the cam surface 62 of each of the tumblers and pivot the tumbler outwardly on its pintle 57, this being done'against the pressure of the spring 52. The ward of the key then engages the cam edge 47 of the carrier plate 39 and thrusts this inwardly in the lock. If the fingers of all the tumblers are properly aligned with the neck of the barrier screws the key may be turned to its limit, moving the carrier plate, and the carrier plate pulling the latch bolt inwardly and allowing opening of the door. It is manifest that should any one of the barrier screws have the neck so positioned that the finger of its tumbler does not align therewith, the tumblers, and hence the carrier plate, are prevented from movement and the lock cannot be opened.

It is also apparent that it is a relatively simple matter to provide a key with a differently shaped-ward and then adjust the barrier screws to accommodate such key, or else, to adjust the barrier screws first and make the key to fit. a

In order that the barrier screws cannot be tampered with by an unauthorized person the cover door 12 to enclose such screws is locked and unlocked by the master key in the movement of the carrier plate. The door on the inside is provided with a bolt opening I 68 (note Fig. 9) this being made by attaching when the barrier plate is in its outermost In the particular instance illustrat position and the latch bolt in itslocked position, fits in the opening 68 and locks the door 12. Manifestly, when the master key is operated to shift the upper carrier plate inwardly the door 12 is unlocked and, if desired, an authorized person can'then adjust the barriers for the pass or the guest key, changing either one or both.

Inorder that the guest key will only operate on one carrier and the pass key on another, the wards of the keys are provided with different notches 7 2 and 73, and there are stop pins 74 designed to accommodate the notches 72 in the pass key and prevent turning of the guest keys, and also a stop pin which will accommodate the notch 73 in the guest key but will prevent rotation of the pass key in the wrong direction. These keys are properly centered by having the stem lit in a socket 75 in the cover plate 14 of the lock. The carrier plates are retained in position and guided in their longitudinal movement by having the inner edge engage in a groove 76 in the thickened part 35 of the back plate of the lock and the outer edge being engaged by guide screws 7 7 which are also threaded into the thickened part of the lock with the heads overlapping the carrier plates.

In the construction of Fig. 16, the operation is reversed in that the barriers or abutment screws slide and the tumblers have no sliding movement but merely an oscillating movement. In this arrangement the lock housing 80 has a back plate 81 to which is attached a pivot bolt 82. This pivot bolt supports the tumblers 83. Such tumblers are substantially the same shape as in the other figures, having a hub portion 84 engaged by the pivot, a shank portion 85, an .105

offset head, 86 on one side with the cam 87 to be engaged by the ward of the key.

In this case the carrierplate 94 is of a somewhat different shape than with the prior described construction, although there are parallel edges, the edge 95 guided in the groove 96 in the thickened portion of the back plate of the, lock. The outer edge 97 is engaged by the guide screws 98. This guide plate has an offset section 99 which has a notch 100 with cam surfaces therein to be engaged by the ward of the lock, this being similar to that shown in Fig. 8. There is anadditional offset 101 in the carrier plate and on this are mounted a pair of ribs 102, in which ribs are journaled the barrier or abutment screws 103. These screws have the threaded section, the neck, and the cylindrical section the same as the prior described constructions, and connecting the ribs there are pairs of guide rods 104. A puller arm 105 is attached to the carrier and operates the latch bolt. The carrier plate is provided with a bolt 100 which extends upwardly from such plate, this bolt catching in a bolt socket 107 in the cover plate 108 of the lock. his construction, if made in duplicate, is also provided with stop pins 109 to prevent the guest and pass keys from being used on the wrong portion of the lock.

In the operation of this construction the ward of the look when of the proper design in accordance with the setting of the barrier screws in operation of the key moves the tumblers on their pivot and then when the fingers are in registry with the neck portion of the barrier screws the carrier plate may be moved inwardly to retract the latch bolt. It is obvious in this construction that the movement of the barrier screws has the same effect as the movement of the tumblers and if the necks of the barrier screws are not in proper alignment with the fingers of the tumblers the movement of the carrier plate is prevented and, hence, the door cannot be unlocked. Likewise, this construction allows for a simple alteration of the lock by adjusting the barrier screws.

lVhile I have illustrated both of the looks as being designed for both a pass and a guest key; that is: two distinct locks incorporated in one; it is quite obvious that the device could be simplified and made in the form of a single lock operated by one type of key only.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim: 7

1. In a lock, a tumbler having a finger and a barrier having means to prevent or to permit passage of the finger in reference to the barrier, a mounting for the tumbler and the barrier to permit a relative movement of translation, means to adjust the barrier inde pendently of the position of the tumbler to position the means to permit passage 01": the finger at two extreme limits and at any intermediate point between such limits, said tumbler being mounted to align the finger with the means of the barrier permitting passage of the finger and the tumbler.

2. A lock having, in combination, a tumbler, a barrier having means to prevent or to permit passage of part of the tumbler in reference to the barrier, said barrier being adjustable independently of the position of the tumbler to position the means to permit such passage between two extreme limits and at any intermediate point, said tumbler being adapted for movement by a key to align the tumbler with the passage permitting means of the barrier, such tumbler and barrier being relatively movable when the tumbler is so aligned with the barrier.

3. A lock having a pivotally mounted tumbler, an adjustable barrier having means to preventand to permit relative movement be tween the tumbler and the barrier, said tumbler being adapted for actuation by a key, a bolt, and means interacting between the tumbler, the bolt, and the barrier to retract the bolt on their relative operation, said barrier being adjustable independently of the position of the tumbler, said barrier on adjustment being adapted to render ineffective the key used before such adjustment.

A lock having, in combination, a movable tumbler, a barrier having means to prevent and to permit relative sliding movement between the tumbler and the barrier, said barrier being adjustable independently of the position of the tumbler to prevent said relative movement, such relative move ment being adapted to be effected by a key.

A look having, in combination, a plurality of pivotally mounted tumblers, a plurality of barriers, there being one barrier for each tumbler, each bar 'ier having means to prevent and to permit relative sliding movement of the tumblers and the barriers, any one of said barriers being adjustable without manipulation of the other barriers to prevent or to permit said relative sliding movement, such movement being adapted to be e'l'l'ected by a key.

6. In a lock, a tumbler and a barrier having means to pre out or to permit relative movement between the tumbler and the barrier, said barrier being adjustable independently of the position of the tumbler to locate the means to permit said movement between two extreme limits, said tumbler being mounted for a relative movement as regards the barrier.

7. In a look, a tumbler and a barrier, said tumbler and barrier being mounted for relative movement of translation in regard to each other, the barrier having means to permit and to prevent such movement of translation, the barrier being adjustable independ ently of the position of the tumbler to position the means to permit such movement between two extreme limits.

8. A lock having a bolt, a tumbler, a barrier in the form of an adjustable screw, said barrier having means to prevent or permit relative sliding movement between the barrier and the tumbler to thereby permit or prevent projection or retraction of the bolt, said relative movement and retraction of the bolt being adapted to be effected by a key.

9. A lock having a bolt, a plurality of pivtract the bolt.

10. A'lock having a plurality of tumblers pivotally mounted on the same pivot and each having a projecting finger, a plurality of adjustable screws each havinga reduced neck, the neck of a screw being adapted to permit movement of the finger of a tumbler, the screw when said neck is out of alignment with the finger being; adapted to prevent movementof the finger and hence of the tumbler relative to the screw, said tumblers being adapted to be shifted by a key to bring the fingers into alignment with the necks of the screws. 7

11.. A look having a lock housing witha plurality of tumblers with fingers pivotally mounted on a common pivot, the housing having a plurality of spaced ribs with a plurality of adjustable screws extendingtherethrough, each screw having a reduced neck adapted for alignment with a finger to permit passage of such finger in relative sliding movement between the tumblers and the barrier, said tumblers being adapted to be positioned by a key with the fingerof eachtumblerin alignment with the neck of ascrew.

v 12. A look as claimed in claim 11, the lock housing havinga slidable bolt, an interact ,ing means operated by the key after positioning of the tumblers to retract said bolt,

and, means on the reverse operation of the key to permit projection of the bolt.

13.,A lock having va plurality of movable tumblers, a barrier in the form of a plurality of separately adjustablescrews each having means to permit or to prevent relative sliding movement between the tumblers and the barrier, means for adjusting any screw independent of the otherscrews, and the tumblers being adapted to be positioned by a key to a positionlto permit said relative movec .m'ent.

14. A look having a lock housing with a cover plate and a movable cover door on one side, a plurality of" movabletumblers each having a finger, a barrier in the form of a plurality of separately adjustable screws each having a reduced neck, the tumblers be- 111g adapted to beshifted by a key to align the finger of the individual tumblers with the neck of an individual screw, and means bolt operatively connected thereto, a plurality of tumblers pivotally mounted on a com mon pivot on the carrier, each having a finger, a barrier fixed as to the housing and having a plurality of individually adjustable screws each with a reduced neck, the tumblers being adapted to be positioned by a key with each finger in alignment with the neck of an individual screw, the key being adapted to first move the tumblers to align the fingers with the neck and secondly to move the carrier to retract the bolt.

16. A look having a housing with a car rier slidablymounted therein, a bolt operatively connected to the carrier, a barrier mounted on thecarrier and being in the form of a plurality of individual adjustable screws each with a contracted neck, a plurality of tumblers each pivotally mounted on the housing and each having a projecting finger, the tumblers beingadapted to be positioned by a key to align the finger of each tumbler with a neck of a screw, and the carrier being adapted to be moved by a key to shift the barrier relative to the tumblers to permit projection of or to retract the bolt.

v 17.'In a device as described, in combination, a slidable carrier, a pair of vertically spaced ribs thereon, a set of adjustable screws 7 I in the ribs having, intermediate annular grooves, with adjacent shoulders, a locking bolt movable with the carrier, a spring opposing the movement of the carrier resilient 1y, a set of tumblers corresponding in number tothe number of screws, means movably mounting the tumblers, saidtumblers being collectively operated by a key to move variable distances to either assume positions aL lowing the grooved portions of the screws pressure upon the carrier to move the same.

18. In a device as described, in combination a support, a slidable carrier therein, a locking bolt movable with the carrier to lockedor unlocked position, a set of adjustable screws having intermediate grooves, with adjacent shoulders, means disposing the screws upon the carrier and allowing adjustment of the screws manually to cause all grooves to be in alignment, a set of tumblers and fingers for said screws movably actuated to be lifted to positions whereby to slide with their shoulders over the tumeach tumbler will be in alignment with one groove of one screw to allowthe carrier and screws to move relatively of the tumblers withthe grooved portions of the screws engaging slidably the sides of the tumblers,

and means whereby a key may simultaneous- 1y operate the tumblers first and carrier last in a turning movement in the carrier.

, 19. A look having a housing, a single bolt, c

apair of tumblers and abarrier for each tumbler, and means to relatively move each tumbler and barrier by a different key, the housing having a common keyhole, and said adjustment permitting use of two separate keys to actuate the bolt at diiierent times.

20. A look having a lock housing, a single bolt, a pair of distinct lock mechanisms, a single keyhole for reception of two keys, one for each lock mechanism, and means to adjust either of the lock mechanisms to each require a different key, said bolt being adapted to be retracted by either of said lock mechanisms.

21. A lock as claimed in claim 20, the housing having an opening cover, and means operated by one of the lock mechanisms to lock said cover closed, and to unlock said cover for opening when the bolt is retracted by the same mechanism.

22. Alock having a lock housing, a single bolt and a single keyhole, a pair of lock mechanisms, each being adapted to be operated by a different key inserted through the single keyhole and each mechanism being adjustable to require a different key, one key being adapted to operate one mechanism to permit projection of the bolt or to retract the bolt, and another key being adapted to operate the other mechanism to permit projection of the bolt or to retract the bolt.

23. A look as claimed in claim 22, the housing having an opening cover door on one side, a latching device for said door connected to one of the lock mechanisms to hold said door in its locked and closed position when the bolt is projected, and unlatch the door when the bolt is retracted by said lock mechanism.

24. A lock having a single-bolt with means to normally project such bolt, a pair of lock mechanisms for retracting said bolt, each having a plurality of tumblers and an adjustable barrier for said tumblers, a cover door, and means operated by one of the lock mechanisms to latch said door closed and to unlatch said door for opening when said latter mechanism is in a bolt retracted position, said cover door exposing the barriers for adjustment.

25. A lock having a-housing with a single bolt and a single keyhole, and means to normally project such bolt, a pair of lock mechanisms, each having a plurality oi movable tumblers, and a barrier in the form of a plurality of individually adjustable screws, each screw having means to permit or to prevent relative sliding movement between the barriers and the tumblers of each mechanism, each set of tumblers being adapted to be operated by a different key inserted through the single keyhole for retraction of the bolt.

26. A look as claimed in claim 25, the housing having a cover door, with means connected with one of the lock mechanisms to latch said door closed, and to only unlatch said door when said latter mechanism is operated to retract the bolt.

27. A look having a housing, a single bolt, with means to normally project such bolt,

and a single keyhole, a pair of lock mechanisms, each having a plurality of tumblers pivoted 011 a common pivot, each tumbler having a projecting finger and each mechanism having a barrier with a plurality of individually adjustable screws, each having a contracted neck, the finger of a tumbler registrable with the neck of a screw, and means operated by either mechanism and by a dif ferent key to retract the bolt.

28. A lock as claimed in claim 27, the housing having a cover door, a latching bolt connected to one of the lock mechanisms to latch said door and slidable when operated by a key to unlatch the cover door only when such lock mechanism is operated to retract the bolt.

29. A lock having a plurality of tumblers and a plurality of adjustable barriers, said barriers preventing or permitting relative movement between the tumblers and the barriers, said tumblers being adapted for operation by a movable key engaging the tumblers, and the relative movement of the tumblers and the barriers being adapted to be effected by the continued movement of the key, and any one of said barriers being adjustable to make such key ineffective to register the tumblers and the barriers for relative movement without manipulation of the other barriers.

30. A look having, in combination, a bolt, a carrier operatively connected thereto, a plurality of tumblers mounted on the carrier, a barrier for each tumbler, said barriers being adjustable and having means to prevent or permit sliding movement of the carrier and the tumblers in reference to such barriers, said tumblers being adapted to be aligned with the barriers by operation of a key and to be moved with the carrier to and from the barriers by the further operation of the same key, said barriers when differently adjusted beingadapted to prevent operation by one key and to require another key.

31. A look having, in combination, a bolt, a plurality of tumblers having a pivotal and sliding movement, a barrier for each tumbler having means to permit or to prevent sliding movement of the tumblers, means to adjust each barrier without manipulation of the other barriers to require a different movement of the tumblers to permit their sliding, the tumblers being adapted to be moved by a rotatable key to align each tumbler with its barrier to permit movement, and in the further operation of the key to slide said tumblers, and means actuated by the sliding of the tumblers relative to the barriers to actuate the bolt.

32. A lock having a bolt, a tumbler having a projecting finger, a barrier in the form name to this specification.

DANIEL HAVILAND. 

